Container safety lock



March 11, 1952 w. ARMBRUSTER 2,588,605

CONTAINER SAFETY LOCK Original Filed Aug. 8, 1942 FIG.L. I5

Patented Mar. 11, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTAINER SAFETY LOCKJohn W. Armbruster, East Rockaway, N. Y.

Original application August 8, 1942, Serial No. 454,118, now Patent No.2,437,674, dated March 16, 1948. Divided and this application May 27,1947, Serial No. 750,795

This application is a division of my copending application Serial No.454,118, filed on August 8, 1942 and which has eventuated as Patent No.2,437,674 issued on March 16, 1948. This invention relates generally toimprovements in looks for container covers and more specifically to theprovision of pressure relief valves incorporated in or cooperating withsuch locks.

An object of the invention is to provide a looking device which alsoacts as a valve.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved valvewith a valve stem in the form of a lock, or a portion of a look.

A further object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive form ofcap or cover for containers of volatile matter, said cap having devicesfor not only preventing theft, but also preventing fire and explosion inautomobile tanks or other containers.

A feature of the invention is the provision of a valve stem withcooperating devices for operating the holding lugs of a lock.

A still further object of the invention is the use of a flexible washerconstruction in cooperation with a lock to provide a pressure reliefopening in a tank cover.

' A feature of the invention is the provision of a gas tank cap with afreely rotating latch and washer ring for locking the cap on the tank.In said cap is a valve including a lock which may be operated to fix thelatch ring with respect to the cap so that it can be removed.

Other objects, features and their advantages will appear from a readingof the following description which describes, among other things, manynovel features of construction and novel combinations of parts presentin the difierent embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanyingdrawings. v

In the drawings:

, Fig. 1 is a plan View showing the combination dial on the top of thecap.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation view taken through the center of the capand showing the valve and combination lock parts.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the cap showing the arrangement of thecombination lock parts.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the two-combination locking discs.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of an alternative form of cap with 100k andvalve; the lock being of the'kjey-operated kind. a

Fig.6 is a sectional view ofa third form of coverwi-th-a lock andavalve; the 'lock being 9 Claims. (Cl. 70-170) of the freely turningvariety requiring a key to lock the cover parts together rather-thanlock the cover to a container.

Fig. '7 is a perspective View of the inside of the cap shown in Figs. 1,2 and 3 showing a divided interior boss.

The claims relating to the lock of a manipulative combination form arepresent in my aboveidentified patent, while devices with locks of a keyoperated variety are claimed herein.

Figs. 1-4 are concerned with a manipulative combination look, while Fig.5 shows a key operated lock, and Fig. 6 reveals a key operated lock witha freely turning latch.

In Fig. 2 it is seen that a gas tank or other container 20 has a filleropening with a latching flange 2|. This flange is cut out with a pair ofopposite notches 22 (Fig. 3) to provide assembly openings for the pairof extensions 23 on a circular catch plate or latch 24 which is fastenedbeneath the center of a cap or cover 25. As seen in Figs. 2 and 3, thecover is shaped as an inverted cup in the center of which is a dividedboss 26, 'to which the catch plate is attached. The boss is flat on twosides and formed with four short segmental shelves on which plate 24 isheld and fastened by a pair of pins 21. In Fig. 3 the four shelves aredefined by dotted outline of the curved ends of the boss 26, said curvedends extending beyond the curved full lines defining the top edge of theboss.

Fitted inside the cap 25 and surrounding the base of the boss 26 is anannular washer 28 of cork, rubber or other resilient material.

The cap is.assem-bled on a container by placing it over the filleropening with the extensions 23 coinciding with the notches 22 of theflange 2| and then pressing downward and turning to catch the extensionsunder the unnotched inner portions of the flange, as shown in Fig. 3. gA simple but efficient combination lock is assembled in the center ofthe cap and arranged to cooperate with the catch plate to hold the capon the container until a central knob 29 is turned back and forthcertain specific angles corresponding to predetermined numbers 30arranged radially on the top of the cap 25. The numbers 30 and the halfmarks 3| are embossed so that they can be sensed in the dark. Knob 29 isformed with a vertical web 32 which isnot only a grasping means but alsoa pointer'for setting the combination required to open the lock. Asillustrated, the look is responsive to a two-number combination 2-7 butof course other legends such as letters may be used, or a larger numberof dial numbers and combinations can be employed.

Knob 29 is on a stem 34 which projects down through a central opening inthe cap 25. At its lower end is fastened a combination disc whichhassanupwardlyv extending extension 36 cooperating with an: extension31'. projecting down from a second combination disc 38 loosely pivotedon the stem. The discs are circular butare formed with pairs of notches,two notches 39 in the periphery of disc 35 and a pair of notches in disc38, said notches beingspaced at 180 intervals on the discs. The locationof these notches vary with respect to the stem 34 and extensions 36 and31 for different locks for a variety of combinations.

Disc 35 is not only riveted on the end of stem 34, but it is also heldin position by afeathei". pin 4| (Fig. 3).

Pressing, between. the. two. discs is a. compression spring. 42. (Fig,2.) whichnot; only, holds knob 29 down into a recess formedas a. valveseat. in the top of. cap 25,.but also presses the combination disc 38into frictional contact with a the underside of catch plate 24, so thatit remains in an adjusted. position.

The combinationlock includesapair of. locking levers 43. cooperatingwith the discs. In- Fig. 3 it is seenthat the boss 26, is. slottedatright angles to the catch. plate extension. 23, and it is in this slotthat the levers'43 are pivoted on pins 44 driven through. the shoulder.The levers are held. in contact with the periphery of. the discs. by aspring 44 attached to the ends of the levers.

In. 2. levers 43 are shown in the locking position resting on the outeredge of the discs, so that a pair. of 'l'ugs-45 on thelevers are underthe flange 2|.. Then the cap cannot be removed, because even. though thecap may. be turned to put thecatch plate. extensions 23. under notches22, the lugs 45.. catch. under the uncut part of the flange. In order tounlock the cap, the lugs 45. must be swung inward, and that is. what isallowed by the notches 39 and. 40. of the discs when properly. adjusted.

As shown,.the top disc- 38. is first adjusted by turning the combinationknob 29 and stem 34 (Figs. 1- and. 4.) in a clockwise direction. Thenthe extension. 36 engages extension 31. and rocks it and disc38 in thesame direction. The knob is turned until web 32 points to 2 and thennotches the directly under levers 43. However, they levers do. not move.because they are still supported. by disc 35-. counterclockwise movementof knob 29. brings disc 35 back to the 1 position, at which point bothsets of. notches 39 and 40 are aligned under the levers 43- and spring44 pulls them together and rocks lugs 45 within the inside diameter offlange 2|. Then the cap is free to be lifted off. thetank.

Itisnoted that the sides of. notches 39 and 40 are slanted. and theinner edge of. levers 43 are tobe rounded so they are easily cammed outof the-notches andover the extensions 36 and 31. Notches 39 can bedeeper than notches 40 to. allow for the distance from pivots 44. Whencap 25 is again put on the tank, one or. more revolutions of the knob 29will put the discs in locking positions so thatonly the holder of thecombination is able to unlock it. If a. more difiicult. combination. is.desired. another disc such. as disc 38. can be. placedadjacent theretowith another. arrangement of notches- Knob-29 and stem34.ser.ve.not.only/as clock manipulator, but also as part of a ventvalve for relief of dangerous pressures that may build up in thecontainer. In Fig. 2 it is apparent that the parts on and associatedwith stem 34 do not interfere with its vertical movement. Disc 35 canslide up and down alongside the lock levers and extension 36can slidealongside extension 31. Spring 42 acts as a valve spring to resistlifting movement of knob 29 as a valve and keep it seated.

A pair of holes 50 are cut in plate 24 and similar holes are cut in thetop of the cap to conduct pressure in-the tank to the underside of knob29. Latch openings 22 also serve as communicating passages to the valvehead. When a predetermined pressure is reached inside the tank (apressure. corresponding to the strength of spring 42) knob 29 is lifted,thereby to relieve the pressure to the atmosphere outside the tank.Spring 42 is compressed but tends to restore the valve to its seat assoon as the pressure is.lowered to. a safer level.

The modification shown in Fig. 5' includes a key operated lock 5| whichis fastenedv in the center of the cap 52. Slot 53 is a key opening.Fastened. to the. lock 5| is a catch plate 54 for engaging under thefiller opening flange. 55'. Also extending under flange 55 are a pair ofkey operated lugs 56 normally extended but depressed. by any well knownmechanism inside look 5|, so that the cap may be withdrawn.

The washer construction of Fig. 5 acts as a pressure relief valve.Resilient washer 51 is backed by a steel ring 58 which is flanged toslide on the barrel of lock 5| and againstwhich a. compression spring 59presses. The spring bears againstthe underside of cap 52 and holds thewasher 51 in a sealing position. However, when a certain pressure isbuilt up-in the tank, washer 51 lifts and ring 58 is slid up on the lockagainst the. pressure of spring 59 which restores the parts when thepressure is lowered.

The third modification shown in Fig. 6 includes a lock 60 which isformed with a valve head 6| in which is a key opening 62. The lock isfree to slide vertically in the center of a cap 63 which is perforatedwith valve openings 64 under 6|. A spring 65 presses between a shoulder66 on lock 69 and the underside of the valve seat.

Extending from lock 60 are a pair of locking lugs 61 which pass throughvertical slots in the side of the boss 68 ofcylindrical shape extendingdown inside the center of the cap.

Onthe outside of boss 68 is a freely turning ring 69 with an annularflange 19 upon which is mounted a metal ring 1| and a resilient washer12. Assembled fast onthelower edge of ring 69 is a catch plate 13 with apair of extensions." engaging under a filler opening flange 15. Theouter wall of boss 68 (Fig. 6) istaperedupward, i. e., shaped slightlyconical with an enlarged lower end which holds ring 69 therein and fixedaxially, but allows it-to turn freely for rotation when unlocked.

The construction is such that when the cap is puton the. tank andlocked, cap 63 is free to turn with respect to the ring 69. Therefore,the cap cannot be removed because catch plate 13 remains latched... Itis only when a key is inserted in opening 62 and lugs 61 arev extendedto. engage verticalslots or. ratchet openings 11 in the wall of ring 69that the catch plate is stationary with respect. to. thecap.andremovable-fromthe flange. Lugs 61. maybe. pointed or. slantedasratchet teeth to engage any of a number of slots I1 cut around ring69.

The upper end of spring 65 is rounded to permit free turning of cap 63.

Although lock 60 is effective to couple the cap and the catch plate, itis also eifective as a valve. When a predetermined pressure is reachedin the container, it is directed through openings 64 against theunderside of valve head SI. The lock 60 then rises as a valve to allowescape of the pressure. It is free to do so because of the slottedconstruction of boss 68 and ring 69. An opening in the center of catchplate 13 leads to the valve openings.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thusprovided a device of the character described possessing the particularfeatures of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but whichobviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions,detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from theprinciple involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While, in order to comply with the statute, the invention has beendescribed in language more or less specific as to structural features,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificfeatures shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosedcomprise the preferred form of several modes of putting the inventioninto effect, and the invention is, therefore, claimed in any of itsforms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of theappended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A cover for a container, a catch plate for holding the cover on thecontainer, said plate being rotatably mounted on said cover, a keyoperated lock for securing said plate to said cover, said lock'beingslidably mounted in said cover and seated in a recess therein, and aresilient means for holding said lock seated but free for outwardmovement under internal pressure.

2. A cap for a container, an externally operated lock in said cap, saidlock being slidably mounted therein but adapted for fastening said capto said container, said lock having an extending flange, flexible meansfor holding said lock down so that said flange seals a valve opening insaid cap, said lock being movable under internal pressure to uncoversaid opening and allow escape of said pressure.

3. In a device of the class described, a cover for a container with anopening having a latching flange, said cover being provided with arotatable member and a pressure relief opening, a catch plate on saidcover rotatable member to engage said flange, a key operated lockslidably mounted in said relief opening and having lock bolts adapted tocouple said rotatable plate to said cover, a flanged valve head on saidlock, and resilient means for holding said head closed over saidpressure relief opening.

4. A theft-proof cover for a container of volatile material, said coverbeing formed with an opening, a key operated lock with means for lookingsaid cover on said container, said lock being axially movable in saidopening and formed with a flanged valve formation to close saidopening,and a spring acting on said lock to hold said valve formation down onsaid opening but yielding for internal pressure, whereby explosivepressures are prevented from building up in said container.

5. The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein the catch plate memberand cover are formed with elongated coupling slots into which said lockbolts project for coupling the cover and rotatable member for removalfrom said container, whereby said lock remains-slidable for pressurerelief purposes in both locked and unlocked conditions.

6. A closure for a container having an opening therein, comprising a capto cover said opening, said cap having an aperture in alignment withsaid opening, a key operated lock including a lock housing with anenlarged circular flange forming a valve head and a reduced cylindricalend forming a valve stem axially slidable in said aperture, a springcooperating with said stem to force down said housing and close saidhead over said aperture impositively to allow relief of internalexplosive pressure, and means under control of said lock to secure thecap to the container to prevent theft of the contents.

7. A cover for a container with a filler opening and a latching flange,a catch plate and washer mounted in a cylindrical holder rotatable onsaid cover, said plate engaging said flange, a key operated lock in ahousing with latching means for fixing said holder relative to saidcover, a mushroom shaped valve formation on said lock housing, andresilient means cooperating with said lock housing for holding saidvalve formation in closing relation to a valve opening 'in said coverbut allowing escape of matter under pressure.

8. A cover for a container having an opening and a latching flange, acatch plate on said cover to engage said flange, means for mounting saidplate loosely relative to said cover so that the cover can rotaterelative to the plate, a lock bolt for connecting the plate to the coverso that the plate and cover are normally fixed together fordisconnection of the plate from said flange when the cover is rotated, abarrel lock slidable in said cover, an enlarged circular valve head onsaid lock, and a spring for holding said lock down with said headcovering a valve opening in said cover, said lock bolt being adapted tobe operated by said lock for disengaging said bolt from said catchplate, whereby the cover will be locked on the container.

9. In a cap for a filler opening in a gas tank, said cap being formedwith a valve aperture, a lock device movably mounted in said cap andhaving an enlarged portion normally closing said aperture, 9, springcooperating with said device for yieldably holding said enlarged portionin closing relation to said aperture but allowing it to open to relieveexcessive internal pressure. and an extensible bolt under control ofsaid lock device for locking said cap in said flller opening.

JOHN W. ARMBRUSTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,288,074 Lutz Dec. 17, 19181,406,289 Schaefer Feb. 14, 1922 1,867,650 Bryan July 19, 1932 2,003,046Halkett May 28, 1935 2,070,692 Stone Feb. 16, 1937 2,163,042 Klemm, Jr.June 20, 1939 2,247,734 Schreiber July 1. 1941 2,303,594 Wise Dec. 1,1942 2,896,233 Abrams Mar. 12, 1946

